A powerful heat wave is making life tough in parts of southwest Virginia this week. With heat index levels reaching up to 109°F in cities like Danville and South Boston, people are being warned to stay indoors and take safety steps to avoid heat-related illnesses.
High Temperatures Across Southwest Virginia
The National Weather Service (NWS) in Blacksburg has issued a Heat Advisory from 12 noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday. The warning covers areas east of the Blue Ridge Mountains, including Roanoke, Lynchburg, Martinsville, and South Boston.
The heat index, which measures how hot it feels when humidity is added to the actual temperature, is expected to stay above 100°F through at least Wednesday. In some places, it may even go up to 109°F.
Areas and Cities Most Affected
Places like Danville, Reidsville, and South Boston are expected to experience the highest levels of heat. Here’s a look at how high the “feels like” temperature could get:
Danville: 109°F (Sunday and Monday)
Roanoke: Up to 106°F
South Boston and Mt. Airy: Between 103°F and 108°F
Lynchburg and Martinsville: Between 104°F and 108°F
Even though Roanoke is usually less humid, the heat index there will still be dangerously high.
Health and Safety Warnings
Doctors and health experts are asking people to:
Avoid being outside between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m., when the heat is strongest
Drink lots of water and stay in cool places
Check on elderly people, young children, and pets
Avoid heavy exercise or hard work outdoors
Cooling centers will open in some counties to help people stay safe during this extreme heat.
When Will It Cool Down?
Some relief may come by midweek, but it might arrive with thunderstorms, which bring their own risks like lightning and heavy rain. A cooler air mass is expected to reach the region by late Thursday or Friday, which should make temperatures more comfortable.
Until then, residents should follow weather updates and take care, especially during the afternoon hours when the heat is at its worst.
5-Day Forecast Snapshot (Blacksburg Area)
Sunday: Heat Index 95–109°F, Heat Advisory from 12–8 p.m.
Monday: Continued excessive heat; Feels Like 100–109°F
Tuesday: Still hot; Feels Like 98–107°F
Wednesday: Slight relief, but still hot; Feels Like 88–105°F
Thursday: Cooler by evening; Feels Like 84–101°F
